System, method and apparatus for an inductively coupled plasma Arc Whirl filter press

ABSTRACT

A plasma treatment system includes a plasma arc torch, a tee attached to a hollow electrode nozzle of the plasma arc torch, and a screw feed unit or a ram feed unit having an inlet and an outlet attached to the tee. The plasma arc torch includes a cylindrical vessel having a first end and a second end, a first tangential inlet/outlet connected to or proximate to the first end, a second tangential inlet/outlet connected to or proximate to the second end, an electrode housing connected to the first end of the cylindrical vessel such that a first electrode is (a) aligned with a longitudinal axis of the cylindrical vessel, and (b) extends into the cylindrical vessel, and a hollow electrode nozzle connected to the second end of the cylindrical vessel such that a centerline of the hollow electrode nozzle is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical vessel.

PRIORITY CLAIM AND CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims priority to and is (a) a non-provisionalpatent application of U.S. provisional patent application 61/788,404filed on Mar. 15, 2013, and (b) a continuation-in-part application ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/633,128 filed on Oct. 1, 2012,entitled “Plasma Arc Torch Having Multiple Operating Modes”, which is acontinuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/371,575 filed on Feb. 13, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,278,810 (seebelow). This application also claims priority to PCT patent applicationPCT/US2013/062941 filed on Oct. 1, 2013, entitled “Plasma Arc TorchHaving Multiple Operating Modes”.

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/371,575 filed on Feb. 13, 2009, nowU.S. Pat. No. 8,278,810, and entitled “Solid Oxide High TemperatureElectrolysis Glow Discharge”, is (a) a continuation-in-part applicationof U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/288,170 filed on Oct. 16, 2008and entitled “System, Method And Apparatus for Creating an Electric GlowDischarge”, which is a non-provisional application of U.S. provisionalpatent application 60/980,443 filed on Oct. 16, 2007 and entitled“System, Method and Apparatus for Carbonizing Oil Shale withElectrolysis Plasma Well Screen”; (b) a continuation-in-part applicationof U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/370,591 filed on Feb. 12, 2009,now U.S. Pat. No. 8,074,439, and entitled “System, Method and Apparatusfor Lean Combustion with Plasma from an Electrical Arc”, which isnon-provisional patent application of U.S. provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 61/027,879 filed on Feb. 12, 2008 and entitled,“System, Method and Apparatus for Lean Combustion with Plasma from anElectrical Arc”; and (c) a non-provisional patent application of U.S.provisional patent application 61/028,386 filed on Feb. 13, 2008 andentitled “High Temperature Plasma Electrolysis Reactor Configured as anEvaporator, Filter, Heater or Torch.” All of the foregoing applicationsare hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

This patent application is related to: U.S. Pat. No. 7,422,695; U.S.Pat. No. 7,578,937; and U.S. Pat. No. 7,622,693. All of the foregoingapplications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a system, method andapparatus for coupling a solids, liquids and/or gas conveyance andseparation means to an Inductively Coupled Plasma Arc Whirl® torch fortreating solids, liquids and gases.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It has been said that it is absurd to flush toilets with drinking water.This is not a monumental problem to solve if wastewater from the toiletis treated at the point of generation, commonly referred to as the“CRADLE” and then recycled and continually reused as flush water. If asystem existed that could be installed at homes, hotels, restaurants,shopping malls, apartment complexes, buildings and hospitals then anemerging wastewater problem, Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products(PPCPs) could be stopped in its tracks since a majority of PPCPs areflushed down a toilet. The US EPA has dedicated a website to PPCPs dueto the unprecedented problems associated with the release of PPCPs intoreceiving waters from WWTPs and Agriculture facilities. Seehttp://www.epa.gov/ppcp/

Garbage is another problem associated with residential homes, hotels,restaurants, shopping malls, apartment complexes, buildings, hospitalsand industrial complexes. Landfills are not a sustainable solution togarbage. Many households and institutions have garbage disposals forgrinding food waste, which is then sent to a wastewater treatment plant(“WWTP”). This is a waste of a potential fuel source since additionalenergy in the form of wastewater pumps are used to transfer the groundfood waste, a potential energy source, to it final destination.

Wastewater treatment plants are finding it more difficult to dispose ofbiosolids. Likewise, many wastewater treatment plants are switching fromchlorine to UV lights for disinfecting wastewater effluent. In addition,it has been estimated that upwards of 60% of the total power consumed atWWTPs is for aerating wastewater. WWTPs are in dire need of a systemwhich can couple dewatering, gasification and/or combustion of biosolidswith a means for providing UV light or ozone disinfection in combinationwith a means for aerating wastewater.

On an Industrial World Class Size scale, the upstream oil and gasindustry is unsurpassed when it comes to equipment size forsolids/liquids separation as well as difficult to treat wastewater. Inparticular, unconventional oil and gas resources, such as the Canadianoilsands has created a massive environmental problem with tailingsponds. Likewise, in situ oilsands development, such as Steam AssistedGravity Drainage (“SAGD”) is in dire need of an all electric water andsolids waste treatment system. In order to produce steam, SAGDfacilities burn natural gas. Since this is viewed as unsustainable SAGDoperators are in dire need of a relatively simple and low cost gasifierfor converting bitumen into synthetic gas (Syngas) which is a mixture ofcarbon monoxide and hydrogen. Typically, at SAGD facilities the fuel gas(natural gas) is fired in boilers, heat recovery steam generators(“HRSG”) and gas turbine cogeneration units in order to produceelectricity and steam for recovering bitumen. This practice is viewed bymany environmentalists as using a clean burning fuel, such as naturalgas, to produce “DIRTY OIL.”

Furthermore, drilling oil and gas wells produces a solid waste known asdrill cuttings. Drill cuttings are typically disposed of either ininjection wells or landfills. Offshore, drill cuttings may be dumpedoverboard if the retention on cuttings (“ROC”) of drilling fluids isless than the maximum regulatory limits. A particular unconventional gasresource is shale gas. Shale gas wells must be hydraulically fracturedand propped open in order to produce the well. Thus, extremely largevolumes of water is combined with proppants and “frac fluid” packages.However, the well returns a portion of the water in combination withsalts, proppant fines, gels and guars. The return flow is commonlyreferred to as Frac Flowback.

Two of the largest unconventional gas plays in the United States are theHaynesville Shale, located in North Louisiana, and the Marcellus Shalelocated primarily in Pennsylvania. The major drawback and deterrent todrilling shale gas wells is treating the Frac Flowback. In addition, theDeepwater Horizon Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico has led to theformation of the Marine Well Containment Company by ExxonMobil, Chevron,ConocoPhillips and Shell. They funded $1 billion for accelerating theengineering, construction and deployment of equipment designed toimprove capabilities to contain a potential future underwater blowout inthe Gulf of Mexico. ExxonMobil will lead this effort on behalf of thefour sponsor companies. Without any doubt there is a DIRE need fordeepwater subsea processing in addition to alternatives for preventing ablowout as well as treating submerged emulsions.

According to a National Research Council report, the U.S. coal industrydiscards annually 70 to 90 million tons of fine refuse to slurryimpoundments. Dewatering coal fines is energy intensive. With the pushfor Clean Coal, many coal enthusiasts are advocating coal gasification.A coal fines dewatering and gasification systems could help usher inCoal Gasification. Likewise, another industry which produces a solidcarbon waste can be found within refineries. The end result of cokingcrude oil is the formation of coke. One of the most useful products forcoke is manufacturing carbon or graphite electrodes. A form ofgasification, steam reforming, would be a preferred choice forconverting pet coke to syngas if coupled to a water treatment means forproduction of the steam.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a system, method and apparatus forsubmerged combustion, submerged gasification and/or submerged pyrolysiswith an Inductively Coupled Plasma ArcWhirl® system. Also, the presentinvention relates generally to a system, method and apparatus forenhancing the treatment of material with plasma by the addition ofnatural electrolytes and/or synthetic polyelectrolytes to the material.In addition, the present invention relates to a thermo-chemical processthat converts carbon-containing materials, such as bitumen, kerogen,coal, petroleum coke (petcoke), natural gas, biogas, biomass, biosolids,fossil fuel waste such as oil sand tailings, coal fines, refinerysludges and tank bottoms, waste biomass (food, garbage, municipal,etc.), or other materials, with little or no oxygen present and at hightemperatures, into a synthesis gas (syngas) and inert solids. Inaddition, the present invention includes a novel system, method andapparatus for plasma research and development.

Moreover, the present invention provides a means for coupling thetreatment of toilet flushed water, commonly referred to as BLACK WATER,with dewatering and thermal treating of biomass such as food waste,grass clippings, leaves, and wood waste could solve the twoaforementioned problems. Excess heat and power generated from thissystem can be used for distributed wastewater and solids treatment andCombined Heat and Power (“CHP”) on a distributed level, such as homes,hotels, hospitals, university campuses, buildings, malls and industrialmanufacturing facilities all which generate and discharge wastewater tosewer drains which convey wastewater to lift stations. The presentinvention couples dewatering, gasification, steam reforming and/or leancombustion and water treatment into one apparatus that can easily bescaled up for world class size facilities such as oil sands, shale gas,shale oil, coal power plants and refineries.

In addition, the present invention provides a Research and DevelopmentPlasma Tool Kit that can be operated in various modes with variousstreams in order to demonstrate to scientists, engineers and developersthat Plasma is capable of delivering “Heat” and “Treatment” at bothreduced capital expenses and operating costs. The R&D Plasma Tool Kit iscapable of being scaled up to world-class size with more or lessoff-the-shelf components, parts and power supplies that are similar indesign, function and operation to the R&D Kit. The R&D Plasma Tool Kitcan be applied to solving the aforementioned water, gasification andplasma confinement problems, and allows for rapid assessment of thepotential for an all electric Heavy Oil and Water Treatment System forSAGD, all electric deepwater subsea processing for oil and gas, an allelectric system for treating biosolids and wastewater and an allelectric carbon capture system via production of biochar from biomass,in addition to the potential for gasifying coal. Likewise, the R&D Kititself may be of sufficient size thus suitable for use in smallerapplications such as at home residences, restaurants, institutions,hospitals and hotels.

The present invention provides a plasma treatment system that includes aplasma arc torch, a tee attached to a hollow electrode nozzle of theplasma arc torch, and a screw feed unit or a ram feed unit having aninlet and an outlet attached to the tee. The plasma arc torch includes acylindrical vessel having a first end and a second end, a firsttangential inlet/outlet connected to or proximate to the first end, asecond tangential inlet/outlet connected to or proximate to the secondend, an electrode housing connected to the first end of the cylindricalvessel such that a first electrode is (a) aligned with a longitudinalaxis of the cylindrical vessel, and (b) extends into the cylindricalvessel, and a hollow electrode nozzle connected to the second end of thecylindrical vessel such that a centerline of the hollow electrode nozzleis aligned with the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical vessel, thehollow electrode nozzle having a first end disposed within thecylindrical vessel and a second end disposed outside the cylindricalvessel.

The present invention is described in detail below with reference to theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and further advantages of the invention may be betterunderstood by referring to the following description in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of an Inductively Coupled Plasma(“ICP”) ArcWhirl® in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 includes FIG. 2A which is a cross sectional view of the originalArcWhirl® and FIG. 2B which is a cross sectional view of the presentinvention ICP ArcWhirl® in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 includes FIG. 3A which is a cross sectional view of the originalArcWhirl® and FIG. 3B which is a cross sectional view of the presentinvention ArcWhirl® with a Vortex Finder Electrode in accordance withone embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 includes FIG. 4A which is a cross sectional view of the originalArcWhirl® with a RF Coil and FIG. 4B which is a cross sectional view ofthe present invention ICP ArcWhirl® in accordance with one embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 5 includes FIG. 5A which is a cross sectional view of the originalArcWhirl® with multiple RF Coils and FIG. 5B which is a cross sectionalview of the present invention ICP ArcWhirl® in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of an ArcWhirl® Straight Screw Feederin accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of an ArcWhirl® TEE Screw Feeder inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of an ICP ArcWhirl® Straight Ram Feederin accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of an ArcWhirl® with Extra ElectrodeStinger in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view of an ArcWhirl® with Large ElectrodeStopper in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view of the ArcWhirl® Original Prototypewith Meat Grinder in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 12 is a cross sectional view of the ArcWhirl® Prototype with TEE toMeat Grinder in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a aerial view of an ArcWhirl® with TEE to Feeder & CycloneSeparator in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a cross sectional view of an ArcWhirl® 4″ Single ActuatorStraight Feed in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 15 is a cross sectional view of an ArcWhirl® Dual Electrodes RFCoil Tee Screw Press in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 16 is a cross sectional view of an ArcWhirl® Dual Electrodes RFCoil 2″ TEE Feeder in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 17 is a cross sectional view of an IC Plasma ArcWhirl® DualElectrodes Dual Feed in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 18 is a cross sectional view of an IC Plasma ArcWhirl® with CementPump in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a cross sectional view of an IC Plasma ArcWhirl® HybridProgressive Cavity Pump in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 20 is a cross sectional view of an IC Plasma ArcWhirl® NozzleHybrid Extruder in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 21 is a cross sectional view of an Dual IC Plasma ArcWhirl® ScrewPress in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 22 is a cross sectional view of an IC Plasma ArcWhirl® Ram FeederPress in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 23 is a cross sectional view of an IC Plasma ArcWhirl® NozzleHybrid in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 24 is a cross sectional view of a Dual IC Plasma ArcWhirl® Hybridin accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 25 is a cross sectional view of an IC Plasma ArcWhirl® Hybrid inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While the making and using of various embodiments of the presentinvention are discussed in detail below, it should be appreciated thatthe present invention provides many applicable inventive concepts thatcan be embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specificembodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative of specific ways tomake and use the invention and do not delimit the scope of theinvention.

By centrally locating both electrodes within a hydrocyclone as disclosedin U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,422,695 and 7,578,937 which is referred hereinafteras the Arc Whirl® the inventor of the present invention has furtherimproved its function and novelty by coupling it to the patented PlasmaWhirl® Reactor. The Plasma Whirl® Reactor and Methods of Use (U.S. Pat.No. 7,622,693) discloses a inductively coupled Plasma Whirl® Reactor.The present invention couples both technologies to form a hybridInductively Coupled Plasma Arc Whirl® in addition to means for conveyingmaterial directly into the plasma arc which solves the problem offeeding material into a plasma gasifier, fast quench reactor,incinerator, combustor or boiler.

Turning now to FIG. 1, both the ArcWhirl® and PlasmaWhirl® can bedramatically improved by merging the inventions together. As disclosedin the ArcWhirl® and in the present invention a first electrode 20 isaxially aligned with a second electrode 21. The electrodes areelectrically connected to a DC power supply. A Radio Frequency (“RF”)coil 23 is placed around the first electrode 20 and the second electrode21. A thin film of fluid as shown by arrow A is whirled around theelectrodes. Similar to arc welding with an electrode, the electrodes areaxially pushed toward one another and touched together in order to forma dead short. When the electrodes are pulled away from one another anelectrical arc 22 is formed between the electrodes thus completing theDC circuit. As electrons flow thru the arc, any gas that is present nearthe arc will be converted into plasma. Thus, a plasma plume will beformed near the arc 22 and the hot electrodes 20 and 21. Next, the RFcoil 23 is energized from an RF power supply and the RF photons emittedfrom the RF Coil 23 are coupled to the plasma thus enhancing itsattributes. Hence, since the electrodes 20 and 21 were attached tolinear actuators as disclosed in the Arc Whirl® patents, the electrodescan then be completely withdrawn from the coil module. On the otherhand, one or both electrodes 20 and 21 may be fed continuously to coupleto the RF field thus maintaining a plasma plume at all times. Theelectrode, either 20 or 21 or both would then be used as susceptor(s)for coupling the RF field to the electrodes 20 and 21 for heating theelectrode in order to enhance thermionic emission. Thus, the power fromthe DC power supply to the electrodes can be reduced or even turned offwhen the electrodes are operated as a RF susceptor. This configurationas disclosed in FIG. 1 can be operated as a hybrid Inductively CoupledPlasma (“ICP”) Arc Whirl® Torch by simply allowing the gas to exit atone end by using a vortex finder 13 as shown in FIG. 2A which is commonwith all cyclones and hydroclones.

It is well known and well understood that ICP torches have severaldrawbacks. First, it is difficult to ignite a plasma at a lowerfrequency for example at 5 kilohertz to 150 kilohertz. Thus most ICPtorches use an inert and easily ionizable gas in combination with a hightemperature susceptor. In fact, many ICP mass spectrometers use a hollowsusceptor, in which the material to be analyzed is injected within theinside of the hollow susceptor. Likewise, many ICP torches use a muchhigher frequency than 150 kilohertz in order to ignite the inductivelycoupled plasma. Second, it is quite difficult to sustain the plasmawithin an ICP torch when waste material is introduced directly into theICP torch. Furthermore, if the material contains volatiles, such aswater within oil sands bitumen or bound water within pressed biosolids(70% to 80% water), then this adds to the volume of gas within the torchitself. Hence, the limited use of ICP torches for processing wastematerial directly within the torch housing or vessel.

Currently, many developers and engineers are specifying the use ofNon-Transferred Electrical Arc torches for applications such as wasteprocessing, in particular municipal solid waste (“MSW”). However,Non-Transferred Electrical Arc Torches suffer from having relativelyshort electrode life, thus are considered not applicable for 24/7 365day operations, such as coal gasification for utilities, steam reformingnatural gas for hydrogen use at refineries and biosolids gasificationand/or incineration at wastewater treatment plants. Finally, plasmaconfinement has been and still remains the single largest problem as towhy plasma has not been adopted worldwide for processing materials inlieu of heating and processing with a fossil fuel combustion flameeither directly or indirectly through a heat exchanger. This is trueregardless if it is an ICP torch, Microwave Torch or AC or DC Torch.Typical plasma systems use inertial or magnetic confinement or acombination of both. However, the confinement problem arises when theplasma plume is injected into a refractory lined or water cooledreactor. Hence, the plasma plume is at a much higher temperature thanthe melting point of the refractory lining of the reactor. And in thecase of water jacketed reactors, the cooling water is usually rejectedas heat in a heat exchanger. In addition, most plasma torches usecooling water and reject upwards of 30% of the total electrical powerapplied to the electrodes as waste heat. The present invention overcomesthe problems associated with heat rejection, electrode life and plasmaignition, confinement and sustainment common with typical plasmatorches.

Referring to FIG. 2, the Original ArcWhirl® as shown on the left handside of the drawing sheet FIG. 2A has not had any problems with plasmaconfinement. This is due in part to two reasons. First, the electricalarc and plasma are confined with the whirling fluid's inertia. Theangular momentum of the whirling fluid ensures that more dense fluids,such as water, bitumen, kerogen and/or heavy oil stay near the internalwall of the ArcWhirl®, while less dense fluids such as air, oxygen,nitrogen, natural gas and/or volatiles remain near the central axis ofthe ArcWhirl®. Second, since the electrodes 20 and 21 are centeredwithin the cyclone and axially aligned, then the arc remains centeredand attached between the electrodes. One of the results which wascompletely unexpected from operating the ArcWhirl® was that the arccould not be blown-out, regardless of how much fluid was flowed andwhirled within the ArcWhirl®. This is in contrast to all of the data,results and published operating information and manuals forTransferred-Arc, Non-Transferred Arc and ICP Torches. In typical PlasmaTorches the gas flow or fluid flow must be precisely metered in order tonot extinguish the arc and/or plasma. That is one of the major drawbackswith plasma torches—sustaining the plasma—or simply keeping the torchlit! The major problems associated with plasma torches—ignition,confinement, sustaining/maintaining and electrode life—are completelyresolved with the ArcWhirl®.

If plasma is to be used for everyday heating applications, thusreplacing fossil fuels and allowing for an all electric high temperatureheater and/or steam generator, then the plasma torch components must bereadily available. The ArcWhirl® has been operated with four 12 voltbatteries in series. Likewise, the ArcWhirl® is currently being operatedwith an ESAB ESP 150 DC power supply. This is a commonly available SCRplasma cutting power supply. Commonly available plasma cutting powersupplies are limited to about 120 kw. For world class size DC powersupplies, Ametek HDR will custom manufacture a DC power supply to about15 MW.

Returning to FIG. 2, the original ArcWhirl® as disclosed in FIG. 2A caneasily be converted to an ICP ArcWhirl® by simply retrofitting thevortex finder 13, body 10 or apex valve 12 with an RF Coil Assembly 24as disclosed in FIG. 2B. This configuration allows for using commonplasma DC power supplies, DC batteries, or any DC source, small diameterelectrical leads and small diameter electrodes in addition to a smalldiameter cyclone. It is well known that as diameter increases within acyclone, the “CUT” increases, thus allowing more particles to beentrained within the clean fluid.

FIG. 3A discloses the carbon electrode 21 extending thru the Apex Valve12 and into the Body 10 of the Original ArcWhirl®. Now referring to FIG.3B, the ArcWhirl® is modified by replacing the carbon electrode with aElectrode Vortex Finder while still being aligned along the central axisof the ArcWhirl® cyclone. This configuration was designed in order tooperate as a plasma torch by blowing a plasma out of the ArcWhirl® asshown by the Plasma Arrow. When operated only with a gas the electricalarc was blown out of the Nozzle and wrapped back around to the outsideface of the Carbon Electrode Vortex Finder Nozzle.

One of the most difficult problems to solve with a pressurized gasifieris how to feed solid material to the gasifier. Referring to FIGS. 4A and4B, by placing the RF coil assembly within the body of the original ArcWhirl®, a much smaller DC power supply can be used for the carbonelectrodes while combined with a more powerful RF power supply and RFcoil or several RF power supplies and coil. By using an EDUCTOR/EJECTORVENTURI any solid material can be fluidized and conveyed with a FLUIDand hydraulically or pneumatically conveyed into the “NEW” ICP ArcWhirl®as shown in FIG. 4B. The ICP ArcWhirl® is both the ICP torch and thegasifier. Thus, a separate reactor is not required for plasmagasification. However, it will be fully understood that thisconfiguration or multiple Plasma ArcWhirls® may be used for feedingsolid material into a pressurized gasifier.

Ambrell, formerly known as Ameritherm, manufacturers a good suite of RFpower supplies and coils well suited for the Plasma ArcWhirl®. TheEkoHeat RF power supplies frequency ranges from 5-150 kilohertz kHz)with power ratings from 1 kw upwards to 250 kw. Seehttp://en.ambrell.com/cat/product_ekoheat.php. These frequencies andpower ratings are ideal for the compact IC Plasma ArcWhirl®.

Referring now to FIG. 5A, multiple RF Coil Assemblies are added to theArcWhirl®. This gives rise to a unique system for operating an ICPTorch. The ICP ArcWhirl® torch can use any fluid as its plasma gas. Inaddition, it eliminates the traditional problems associated with commonICP torches such as plasma ignition, sustainment and confinement. Forexample, water and any non-condensible gas can be coflowed into the ICPPlasma ArcWhirl® as shown by the EDUCTOR/EJECTOR shown in FIG. 5B. Sincewater is more dense then gas, then due to centrifugal forces the waterwill be forced outward and through EXIT B, while a part of the gas willbe ionized and exit via the nozzle as a plasma. The ICP ArcWhirl® isstarted by first introducing a fluid A into the ArcWhirl®. The 1stLinear Actuator axially moves the 1st electrode to touch the 2ndElectrode Vortex Finder. The DC power supply is turned on while theelectrodes are in a DEAD SHORT. It has recently been discovered that ifthe electrodes are wet, then by holding the electrodes in a dead short,the electrodes will heat up due to resistive heating. Next, the 1stelectrode is drawn back thus forming an arc. Any gas near the arc willbe converted to a plasma. Now, the RF power supply can be turned on toenergize the RF Coil in order to couple RF photons to the plasma. Whatis unique and unobvious about this operation is that high frequency RFis not necessary in order to operate the ICP ArcWhirl®. Once the ICPArcWhirl® is operating, the DC power to the electrodes may be turnedoff. Since the electrodes are electrically conductive, the RF photonswill couple to the electrodes. Thus, the electrodes are also RFsusceptors. Since the electrodes will be heated with both plasma and RFphotons, the electrodes will emit electrons due to thermionic emission.This will ensure that the plasma stays lit. One other benefit for usingcarbon electrodes is that they are consumable and can be continuous fedto the ArcWhirl®. In addition, if any oxygen is present, the oxygen andcarbon will combust, thus allowing for reduction in electrical power tothe RF coil and/or electrodes. In addition, this opens the door to atruly unique and unobvious STEAM REFORMING METHOD. Any carbonaceousmatter, fossil or biomass, can be fed to the ICP ArcWhirl®. When thematerial begins to carbonize, it will become electrically conductive.Likewise, the addition of steam allows for the following STEAM REFORMINGREACTION and WATER GAS SHIF REACTION to occur within the same Reactor:C+H₂O (steam)→CO+H₂   (1)CO+H₂O (steam)→CO₂+H₂   (2)This opens the door for a unique system for generating a hot gas forSteam Assisted Gravity Drainage for In Situ Oil Sands Operations. Thiswill be clearly demonstrated in the following examples.

Any conveyance means can be used for feeding a solid, semi-solid,viscous fluid or hard to pump material into the ArcWhirl®. For example,FIG. 6 discloses a Screw Feeder in which material exits axially from thescrew. In the addition, by adding a TEE as shown in FIG. 7, material maybe flowed with a screw then exits perpendicular from the screw.

Turning now to FIG. 8, the ArcWhirl® Straight Ram Feeder Press providesa solution for dewatering, drying and gasifying or pyrolyzing materialin one single step. A filter which includes a TEE housing and a PorousTube are attached to a conveyance means. As shown in FIG. 8 theconveyance means includes a Ram and a Hydraulic/Pneumatic Cylinder. Itwill be understood that the conveyance means may be a screw/flighting, ashaft, a gearbox with hollow drive shaft and a motor as shown in FIGS. 6and 7, in lieu of the Ram and Hydraulic/Pneumatic Cylinder as shown inFIG. 8. Likewise, it will be understood that any type of filter presswhich includes a screw, auger, ram or applies hydraulic/pneumaticpressure, such as the Salsnes Filter and screw press auger (U.S. Pat.No. 6,942,786) may be used as the Filter Press of the present invention.The ICP ArcWhirl® can easily be retrofitted to a Salsnes Filter byreferring to the '786 Patent's FIG. 4. The spring loaded lid 71 of theSalsnes Filter would be removed and the outlet pipe 70 of the SalsnesFilter would be coupled to the ICP ArcWhirl® Vortex Finder of thepresent invention's FIG. 4B. Quite simply the Salsnes Filter springloaded lid 70 would simply be replaced with a means for direct couplingto the ICP ArcWhirl's® Vortex Finder Electrode.

There is a problem with the Salsnes Filter which is not disclosed in the'786 Patent nor disclosed in Salsnes literature, website or publishedinformation. When the filter was turned on and the blower energized avery strong odor was emitted from the ventilation pipe. Now referringback to the '786 Patent there is absolutely no disclosure of aventilation pipe in contrast to the picture and animation shown onSalsnes Filter's website. Salsnes Filter Technical Paper #3, found at:http://www.salsnes.com/pdfs/TechnicalPaper_3.pdf clearly discloses aventilation pipe 21 on the Figures located on page 6. The key lists 21as ventilation. Herein lies the downfall and problem with the SalsnesFilter. The ventilation pipe is now considered a point source emission.A large air flow has been found to indeed be discharged from theventilation pipe. This design, using a blowoff device to keep the filterbelt clean, in combination with a point source ventilation pipedischarging the foul smelling into the air can be dramatically improvedwith the ArcWhirl® of the present invention.

The cake from the discharge of the Salsnes Filter or any filter presscan be educted or ejected into the ICP ArcWhirl® by means of a venturias shown in FIG. 4B. Any FLUID may be used as the motive jet fluid foroperating the venturi. However, an ideal FLUID would be steam ifoperating in a steam plasma mode, or air if operating in a leancombustion mode. If air is used in a lean combustion mode, then theexcess air could be used for aerating wastewater. This would allow forzero air emissions and zero disposal of biosolids. Thus, any wastewatertreatment facility applying the present invention would show tremendoussavings for both aeration and biosolids disposal costs. This will beclearly shown in Example 1.

EXAMPLE 1

Referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B the eductor/ejector as shown in FIG. 4Buses a waste air or waste gas stream discharged from a process stream,such as the ventilation pipe of the Salsnes Filter. Biosolids dischargedfrom a filter press, such as the screw press of the Salsnes Filter areejected into the ICP ArcWhirl® via the ejector venturi. When configuredas shown in FIG. 4A, the plasma will exhaust via the top vortex finder13. The carbonized biosolids or a full molten flow will be dischargedthru the apex valve 12. The plasma plume may be further mixed withadditional air for lean combustion. The stream can then be dischargeddirectly into a wastewater aeration lagoon, thus eliminating a pointsource discharge.

In lieu of pneumatic conveying and in order to fully understand howmaterial, such as carbonaceous material, could be pushed directly intoan electrode nozzle the inventor of the present invention constructed anArcWhirl® with Extra Electrode Stinger as shown in FIG. 9. Turning nowto FIG. 9, the 1st electrode was a ⅞″ diameter carbon arc gougingelectrode. The 2nd Electrode Vortex Finder was machined with a 1½″internal diameter hole. Thus, the 1st electrode could not be deadshorted to the 2nd Electrode Vortex Finder in order to form an arc.Consequently, the inventor simply inserted another gouging electrodedirectly into the Vortex Finder and touched it to both the 1st and 2ndelectrodes. The arc was established and the 3rd electrode stinger waspulled out of the 2nd Vortex Finder Electrode.

What occurred next was completely unexpected. The water flow to theArcWhirl® was shut off and only air flowed into the ArcWhirl®hydryocyclone. A control valve was shut forcing all of the air throughthe carbon nozzle. The plasma did not extinguish. Contrary to all plasmatorches which require a precise amount of gases in order to not “BLOWOUT” the arc, the ArcWhirl® will operate at any volume and pressure.Why? Simply because the BLUE ARC when viewed with a Number 11 welder'sshield is centered between the carbon rods. The plasma simply blows overthe carbon stinger rod. The carbon adds fuel to the air plasma. When thestinger was placed back into the 2nd electrode nozzle, the plasma couldnot be extinguished regardless of how much fluid was flowed into theArcWhirl®. This is due in part to the novel Vortex Finder Electrodedesign coupled with centering the arc with dual electrodes aligned onthe central axis.

The carbon in the carbon electrodes in a plasma water treatment andplasma steam generator system adds energy, but can be captured if usedfor enhanced oil recovery. Since carbon sublimes, then it does notcontaminate any downstream equipment when combined with air or steam.

Next the stinger was slowly pulled out until it was about one inch fromthe end of the carbon nozzle. The arc remained attached to the carbonstinger but looped back around to the carbon nozzle to complete thecircuit. The carbon rod stinger was not attached nor grounded to a powersupply. This gives rise to a unique configuration for transferring anarc. Likewise, it will be understood that the carbon stinger can beattached to a 2nd DC power supply to increase the plasma volume anddensity.

Turning to FIG. 10, an Electrode Stopper was machined with an outsidediameter of 2″ to precisely fit unto the 1st Electrode. The ElectrodeStopper was machined in order to dead short the 1st electrode to the 2ndElectrode Vortex Finder. The purpose for this setup will be fullydisclosed in The Research and Development Plasma ArcWhirl® System.

Referring to FIG. 11, an electric Meat Grinder was purchased then fittedwith a 2″×1½″ sanitary type reducer. Sanitary fittings were used toconstruct all of the parts for the ArcWhirl®. The reason for usingTri-Clover® Clamps and fittings, normally referred to as 3A SanitaryClamps and Fittings, was to design a plasma system that could be rapidlyassembled, disassembled, modified or changed with very few hand tools.This will be clearly shown in the following examples. Any type ofclamping system that allows for rapid assembly or disassembly willsuffice, thus not limiting the present invention to Sanitary TypeFittings and Clamps. For example, for constructing a heavy dutyindustrial R&D Plasma System the inventor anticipates using hammer unionfittings commonly found in the oil and gas industry. The only toolneeded for assembly and disassembly is a hammer.

The meat grinder was simply used as an auger or screw feeder. Sand wasflowed into the meat grinder and then directly into the hot carbonnozzle. The sand exited the

ArcWhirl® as glass particles into the tank. Next the inventor of thepresent invention obtained pressed biosolids from a local wastewatertreatment facility. The biosolids were fed into the meat grinder thenforced into the carbon nozzle.

Biosolids were continuously fed into the carbon nozzle via the meatgrinder. The inventor carefully viewed the arc and plasma through theFull View Sight Glass and closely watched the water discharge into thetank. It appeared that nothing was being discharged with the water. Somore biosolids were fed to the screw conveyor (meat grinder). Once againno solids were flowed out with the water. The volute housing the carbonnozzle became red hot in a local spot and began to melt. The system wasshut down, taken apart and inspected for damage. A small carbon ball wassandwiched between the carbon nozzle and the inside of the volute.Likewise, a large carbon ball was stuck within the internal throat ofthe carbon nozzle. The carbon ball was removed then broken apart. Awhite small ball was located within the center of the carbon ball.

Not being bound by theory, what apparently occurred was that thebiosolids were completely pyrolyized which formed a solid carboncompound with a minerals matrix centered within the carbon ball. Thus,this gives rise to a means for capturing carbon from any carbonaceousfeedstock. Likewise, this gives rise to a means for treating solidmaterial such as coke, coal, drill cuttings, tailings, tank bottoms,proppants and upgrading and/or gasifying viscous materials such as oilsand bitumen, oil shale kerogen and beach sand or solids covered withcrude oil from oil spills.

Submerged Gasification and Combustion

Referring to FIG. 11, the ArcWhirl® coupled with a screw conveyor can beused as a novel submerged combustor. Any fluid that needs to be heatedis flowed in the Inline Annular Air Ejector as shown by Arrow A and intothe Fluid Inlet of the 1st Volute/Scroll. Compressed Air or Oxygen isflowed into the Ejector and mixed with the Fluid. When an arc isestablished a carbonaceous fuel source is charged to the screw feeder asshown by Arrow G. The Screw Feeder conveys the material directly throughthe 2nd Electrode Vortex Finder. The material will be gasified andpartially oxidized. When the syngas reaches the Air or Oxygen plasma itwill be fully combusted. The hot gases and partially heated fluid exitthe 2nd Volute/Scroll and into an effluent storage tank. When thoroughlymixed within the tank, the hot gases thoroughly heat the fluid formaximizing heat transfer. It will be understood that this device can beinstalled within a tank or hung on the side of a tank or made as anintegral part of a vessel, reactor, reboiler or column. In addition,this device can be installed downhole in oil and gas wells, for examplefor In Situ generation of steam and hot gases for SAGD facilities. Thissubmerged plasma combustor can heat any fluid with any carbonaceousmaterial, whether solid, liquid or gas. In addition, by placing theignition source, the plasma arc, directly in the center of the whirlingfluid, this will ensure that the combustion flame stays lit. The presentinvention as shown in FIGS. 1 thru 24 can be configured to operate as aSubmerged Gasifier and/or Submerged Gasifier.

Turning to FIG. 12, a 1½″ diameter sanitary TEE was placed between theMeat Grinder Screw Feeder and the ArcWhirl® 2nd Electrode Vortex Finder.The TEE was installed to determine how far the plasma would dischargeinto the TEE and how close it would come to touching the auger or screwwithin the Meat Grinder. As shown in FIG. 12 the Plasma flowed in bothdirections inside the TEE. In fact, a red Hot Spot was rapidly formed onthe backside of the TEE. The ArcWhirl® was shutdown so as to not meltthe TEE.

Once again using quick clamps, The Plasma ArcWhirl® System wasreconfigured as shown in FIG. 13. A stainless steel Cyclone Separatorwas attached to the TEE. The Meat Grinder was moved to the position asshown in FIG. 13. Various materials were augered into the Plasma whichwas injected into the Cyclone Separator forming a Whirling Plasma. Whenviewed by looking down and into the outlet a Whirling Plasma was clearlynoticeable in the Cyclone Separator. It is this configuration whenoperated with three or more ArcWhirl® torches that are tangentiallyaligned to each other which gives rise to the patented Plasma Whirl®Reactor (U.S. Pat. No. 7,622,693).

For example, by using Plasma ArcWhirl® System with only one torch, apotential end user such as an Oil Sands Company could easily producedata that would allow scaling up using high power ArcWhirl® Torchesconfigured as shown in FIG. 1 of the Plasma Whirl® Reactor Patent '693.

Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14 of the present invention, the CycloneSeparator was disconnected and reassembled as a 3rd Volute/Scroll. Thisconfiguration would be commonly referred to as an inline CycloneSeparator. A 4th Volute was added and next the NEW screw feeder aspreviously disclosed in FIG. 6 is connected as shown in FIG. 14. Thisconfiguration as shown in FIG. 14 now allows for straight feedingmaterial directly into the plasma plume, but falling short of beingpushed into the 2nd Electrode Vortex Finder. Both the gases and solidmaterial from the carbonaceous matter enters into the 3rd Volute/Scroll.The solids exit via a Material Outlet in the direction as shown by ArrowE. Hot gases enter into the 4th Volute/Scroll and exit as shown by ArrowF and may be flowed to a gas cleanup process.

FIG. 15 now discloses the IC Plasma ArcWhirl® with Dual Electrodes and aTEE Side Screw Press. The Straight Screw Feeder is now relocated to aTEE but includes a filter in order to be operated as a screw press. AnRF Coil Spool Assembly is positioned in order to couple to the plasmadischarged from the 2nd Electrode Nozzle thru the 4×4 TEE and into the4th Scroll. Material to be dewatered, dried and then gasified is flowedinto the screw press as shown by Feed In Arrow G. A fluid outlet on thescrew press allows for water to flow out of the pressed solids. It willbe understood that the 1st Actuator and the 2nd Actuator are designedwith a means to continuously feed the electrodes into the PlasmaArcWhirl®. Carbon or Graphite Rods have female and male threaded ends inorder to couple together. This allows for 24/7 365 days a year ofoperation. It is this difference and configuration that separates the ICPlasma ArcWhirl® from all other plasma designs—a means for continuouslyfeeding an RF susceptor/electrode into an ICP Torch.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 16, the ArcWhirl® TEE Screw Feeder is nowconfigured and attached to the ArcWhirl® Dual Electrodes RF Coil TEEFeeder as shown in FIG. 16. This simply gives Engineers, Developers,Scientists and plasma technicians another mode for feeding carbonaceousmaterial or any material into the IC Plasma ArcWhirl®. Once again thisPlasma R&D Tool is easily configured and reconfigured in order tooperate in various modes.

Referring to FIG. 17, material is fed via a 3rd dual entryVolute/Scroll. This configuration allows material to be hydraulically orpneumatically conveyed directly into the Inductively Coupled Plasma.Once again a different mode to conduct plasma R&D.

Scaling Up the R&D ICP ArcWhirl® System

FIGS. 18, 19, 20, 21 and 22 demonstrate how the ICP ArcWhirl® System canbe scaled up using off-the-shelf or commonly available equipment. FIG.18 discloses coupling a Concrete Pump to a Filter Screen which iscoupled to the ICP ArcWhirl®. This configuration would work well in theUpstream Oil & Gas Industry.

Developers for Haynesville Shale Gas and Marcellus Shale Gas Developershave yet to solve the drill cuttings disposal problem as well as thefrac flowback problem. As disclosed in FIG. 18 drill cuttings are feddirectly into a Concrete Pump. The Concrete Pump conveys the drillcuttings to the IC ArcWhirl® which includes a filter screen closecoupled to the Electrode Nozzle. Fluids are pressed out of the cuttingsfor reuse or pumped back to the ENTRY of the Concrete Pump. Once thedrill cuttings are melted and converted to a slag, the slag is dumpedinto a quench tank. The quench tank consists of frac flowback water. Themolten slag provides the heat necessary for flash evaporating the fracflowback water. Although not illustrated in FIG. 18, the frac flowbackmay be the quench fluid flowing as shown in FIG. 19.

Another ideal upstream Oil & Gas stream that can be treated with the ICPArcWhirl® is oil sand and its waste streams. If applied directly afterthe crushers in an Oil Sand Pit Mining Operation, the IC PlasmaArcWhirl® is GAME CHANGING. Quite simply it eliminates the use of water.This non-aqueous process revolutionizes the production of a high qualitybitumen by taking everything to a full melt. This allows for recovery oftailings by dumping the tailings directly into the molten slag from thevirgin oil sands. This also allows for production of metals plus a slagof high value for road construction.

SAGD operations are in dire need of an all electric water treatment,steam generation and gasification system. Progressive cavity pumps arenow commonly used in heavy oil applications.

Referring to FIG. 19—IC Plasma ArcWhirl® Hybrid Progressive Cavity Pump,bitumen from the primary separator of a SAGD facility is fed into theProgressive Cavity Pump. High pressure low quality steam of about 85%steam and 15% moisture is flowed into the ICP ArcWhirl® as shown byArrow A. The RF Coil couples to the electrodes and the steam plasma. Thesteam plasma flows thru the Electrode Nozzle and directly contacts thebitumen in a countercurrent flow. The syngas produced from steam plasmareforming the bitumen exits via a Material Outlet as shown by Arrow E.

The steam exiting from the 2nd Volute/Scroll in the direction of Arrow Bis superheated and of a higher quality then current HRSG's and boilers.This is an all electric superheater and gasifier combined in onepackage. Of course the superheated steam will be flowed down theinjector well for heating up and recovering more bitumen. The steam wasproduced with the HiTemper™ system which is incorporated in itsentirety. In addition, current SAGD operations have very large limeponds. Thus, by using one IC ArcWhirl® to reclaim the lime, a tremendousamount of steam and CO₂ can be produced by calcining the spent lime forgenerating superheated steam and CO₂ in the IC Plasma ArcWhirl® HybridProgressive Cavity Pump Gasifier.

The calcined lime is slaked into the bitumen for two reasons. First, thelime is an electrolyte and will aid in coupling the plasma to thebitumen. Next, the CaO will combine with contaminants to aid in hot gasscrubbing of the syngas. The syngas can then replace fuel gas for use incombustion turbines, boilers and HRSGs. Thus, this eliminates theproblem of burning clean natural gas to produce dirty oil.

Now referring to FIG. 20, another means for feeding and pressingmaterial is disclosed by attaching an Extruder as disclosed in U.S. Pat.No. 6,790,023 to a porous tube. This configuration clearly demonstratesanother means for conveying material into a DUAL IC Plasma ArcWhirl®.The dual RF Coils ensure that all solid materials are melted and/ortreated, thus allowing for treatment of hazardous waste material.

At the heart of Scaling up the present invention is a novel IC PlasmaArcWhirl® Screw Press as disclosed in FIG. 21. Screw presses arecommonly available. Likewise, screw presses with a hollow shaft andhollow gearbox pinion gear are available from Press Technology & Mfg.,Inc., 1401 Fotler St., Springfield, Ohio 45504. The RF Coil withSusceptor may be constructed from any electrically conductive material.However, an ideal material is Tungsten Carbide. As shown in FIG. 21,dual electrodes are continuous fed into the IC Plasma ArcWhirl®. Thisensures that a plasma will be maintained at all times. The RF Coil willcouple to the susceptor, thus heating the susceptor. Although notillustrated a second coil may be added between the dual entry volute andthe larger scroll.

There exists a need for pretreating material prior to injection into anincinerator. One of the largest incinerators in the U.S. is located inPort Arthur, Tex. and is operated by Veolia. The incinerator is fed witha hydraulic ram feeder pushing hazardous waste down a long sweeping 8″diameter pipe. A steam lance had to be added to the end of the pipe thatextends into the incinerator in order to fluidize the material. Thepresent invention disclosed in FIG. 22, would completely replace thesteam injector and would dramatically enhance throughput. Likewise, thissystem could be attached to any Medical Waste Incinerator to increasethroughput and eliminate natural gas usage.

Referring to FIG. 22, material enters into the feed inlet of the RamFeeder Press. A hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder cycles and applies axialthrust to the Ram. The Ram pushed feed material into a Porous TubeModule. Fluids exit via a Fluid Outlet. Material begins to dry, pyrolizeand gasify within the porous tube. The Ram is cycled in order tocontinuously push material into the RF Coil Susceptor Nozzle. The LargeDiameter Continuous Feed Electrode is of a larger diameter than the holewithin the RF Coil Susceptor Nozzle. The electrode provides twofunctions. First, the ArcWhirl® is started in a dead short by touchingthe electrode the RF Coil Susceptor. Once the arc is formed a plasmawill form shortly thereafter.

The second function is a function that has provided unexpected results.The tapered electrode acts as a physical valve and an electrical valvein order to provide back pressure to the solids. The physical valve iseasy to understand since most screw presses or hydraulic filter pressesincludes a means for holding back solids. However, not being bound bytheory, it is believed that when biosolids were forced into theArcWhirl® and formed a carbon ball, the carbon ball acted as a conductorin a solenoid thus wanting to travel in the direction of the plasma.Yet, the mechanical screw meat grinder feeder counteracted theelectromotive force.

Referring to FIGS. 23, 24 and 25, the IC Plasma ArcWhirl® Hybrid isshown with the RF coil in various locations. Once again, utilizing quickclamping techniques known in the art, a Plasma R&D Tool Kit can beconstructed from off-the-shelf components for conducting high qualityR&D with plasma. FIGS. 1 thru 25 clearly demonstrate a system, methodand apparatus for a Plasma R&D Tool Kit, that allows for rapid scalingup.

Electrolytes and Polyelectrolytes

It is well known and well understood that water treatment requires theaddition of electrolytes. For example, one of the oldest methods fortreating water is cold lime softening. Lime is an electrolyte. Likewise,lime is added to pressed sludge in order to treat it by means of heatand pH adjustment. Prior to pressing sludge with a filter press,operators typically add a polyelectrolyte.

The addition of a natural electrolyte or manufactured electrolyte, suchas BASF/CIBA's new bead technology, for example Zetag® 7593, to thematerial to be pressed within the Plasma ArcWhirl® Screw Press willdramatically enhance its performance. Not being bound by theory it isbelieved that the electrical arc, plasma and the RF Field may couple tothe electrolytes within the biosolids, sludge, etc. Thus, this willallow for rapid heating via electrical conduction and joule heatingdirectly within the biosolids, sludge, bitumen, oil/water or water/oilemulsion or any material that contains ions or that may becomeelectrically conductive, such as biochar and/or activated carbon.

Biochar and Carbon Capture

The present invention produces biochar from biomass by flowing it intothe plasma via the screw conveyor. Volatiles will gas off leaving behindchar. Likewise, if steam is added and forms a steam plasma, thenvolatiles from carbonaceous material may be gasified and the CO₂ can becaptured and stored. This can easily be demonstrated in one of theconfigurations as disclosed in FIGS. 1 through 24. The ideal and mosteconomical configuration will be based upon feed material(s) testing invarious configurations of the R&D Plasma ArcWhirl® System.

The foregoing description of the apparatus and methods of the inventionin preferred and alternative embodiments and variations, and theforegoing examples of processes for which the invention may bebeneficially used, are intended to be illustrative and not for purposeof limitation. The invention is susceptible to still further variationsand alternative embodiments within the full scope of the invention,recited in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A plasma treatment system comprising: a plasmaarc torch comprising: a cylindrical vessel having a first end and asecond end, a first tangential inlet/outlet connected to or proximate tothe first end, a second tangential inlet/outlet connected to orproximate to the second end, an electrode housing connected to the firstend of the cylindrical vessel such that a first electrode is (a) alignedwith a longitudinal axis of the cylindrical vessel, and (b) extends intothe cylindrical vessel, and a hollow electrode nozzle connected to thesecond end of the cylindrical vessel such that a centerline of thehollow electrode nozzle is aligned with the longitudinal axis of thecylindrical vessel, the hollow electrode nozzle having a first enddisposed within the cylindrical vessel and a second end disposed outsidethe cylindrical vessel; a tee attached to the hollow electrode nozzle;and a screw feed unit or a ram feed unit having an inlet and an outletattached to the tee.
 2. The plasma treatment system as recited in claim1, further comprising a radio frequency coil disposed around or embeddedwithin the cylindrical housing.
 3. The plasma treatment system asrecited in claim 1, further comprising an electrode stopper disposedwithin the cylindrical vessel.
 4. The plasma treatment system as recitedin claim 1, further comprising a porous tube disposed within the tee andaligned with the centerline.
 5. The plasma treatment system as recitedin claim 1, further comprising a stinger electrode extending from thescrew feed unit or the ram feed unit and either aligned or canted withthe centerline of the hollow electrode nozzle.
 6. The plasma treatmentsystem as recited in claim 1, wherein the outlet of the screw feed unitor the ram feed unit is aligned with the centerline or perpendicular tothe centerline.
 7. The plasma treatment system as recited in claim 1,further comprising: the outlet of the screw feed unit or the ram feedunit is aligned perpendicular to the centerline; and a cyclone separatorconnected to the tee and having a tangential inlet aligned with thecenterline.
 8. The plasma treatment system as recited in claim 1,further comprising a volute connected between the tee and the hollowelectrode nozzle.
 9. The plasma treatment system as recited in claim 1,further comprising: a cylindrical tube connected between the tee and thehollow electrode nozzle; and a radio frequency coil disposed around orembedded within the cylindrical tube.
 10. The plasma treatment system asrecited in claim 1, further comprising a gas source attached to thefirst tangential inlet/outlet of the plasma arc torch.
 11. The plasmatreatment system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a pump orconveyor connected to the inlet of the screw feed unit.
 12. The plasmatreatment system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a processoror separator connected to the output of the screw feed unit.
 13. Theplasma treatment system as recited in claim 1, further comprising avalve connected to the second tangential inlet/outlet of the plasma arctorch.
 14. The multi-mode plasma arc torch as recited in claim 1,further comprising a linear actuator operably connected to the firstelectrode to adjust the position of the first electrode with respect tothe hollow electrode nozzle.
 15. The multi-mode plasma arc torch asrecited in claim 1, further comprising a power supply electricallyconnected to the first electrode and the hollow electrode nozzle.